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The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God
Jonathan Edwards (October 5, 1703 – March 22, 1758) was a preacher, theologian, and missionary to Native Americans. Edwards "is widely acknowledged to be America's most important and original philosophical theologian," and one of America's greatest intellectuals. Edwards's theological work is very broad in scope, but he is often associated with his defense of Reformed theology, the metaphysics of theological determinism, and the Puritan heritage. Recent studies have emphasized how thoroughly Edwards grounded his life's work on conceptions of beauty, harmony, and ethical fittingness, and how central The Enlightenment was to his mindset.
93 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1995
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About the author
Jonathan Edwards
1,611 books527 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database named Jonathan Edwards.
Jonathan Edwards was the most eminent American philosopher-theologian of his time, and a key figure in what has come to be called the First Great Awakening of the 1730s and 1740s.
The only son in a family of eleven children, he entered Yale in September, 1716 when he was not yet thirteen and graduated four years later (1720) as valedictorian. He received his Masters three years later. As a youth, Edwards was unable to accept the Calvinist sovereignty of God. However, in 1721 he came to what he called a "delightful conviction" though meditation on 1 Timothy 1:17. From that point on, Edwards delighted in the sovereignty of God. Edwards later recognized this as his conversion to Christ.
In 1727 he was ordained minister at Northampton and assistant to his maternal grandfather, Solomon Stoddard. He was a student minister, not a visiting pastor, his rule being thirteen hours of study a day. In the same year, he married Sarah Pierpont, then age seventeen, daughter of Yale founder James Pierpont (1659–1714). In total, Jonathan and Sarah had eleven children.
Stoddard died on February 11th, 1729, leaving to his grandson the difficult task of the sole ministerial charge of one of the largest and wealthiest congregations in the colony. Throughout his time in Northampton his preaching brought remarkable religious revivals.
Yet, tensions flamed as Edwards would not continue his grandfather's practice of open communion. Stoddard believed that communion was a "converting ordinance." Surrounding congregations had been convinced of this, and as Edwards became more convinced that this was harmful, his public disagreement with the idea caused his dismissal in 1750.
Edwards then moved to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, then a frontier settlement, where he ministered to a small congregation and served as missionary to the Housatonic Indians. There, having more time for study and writing, he completed his celebrated work, The Freedom of the Will (1754).
Edwards was elected president of the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University) in early 1758. He was a popular choice, for he had been a friend of the College since its inception. He died of fever at the age of fifty-four following experimental inoculation for smallpox and was buried in the President's Lot in the Princeton cemetery beside his son-in-law, Aaron Burr.
Jonathan Edwards was the most eminent American philosopher-theologian of his time, and a key figure in what has come to be called the First Great Awakening of the 1730s and 1740s.
The only son in a family of eleven children, he entered Yale in September, 1716 when he was not yet thirteen and graduated four years later (1720) as valedictorian. He received his Masters three years later. As a youth, Edwards was unable to accept the Calvinist sovereignty of God. However, in 1721 he came to what he called a "delightful conviction" though meditation on 1 Timothy 1:17. From that point on, Edwards delighted in the sovereignty of God. Edwards later recognized this as his conversion to Christ.
In 1727 he was ordained minister at Northampton and assistant to his maternal grandfather, Solomon Stoddard. He was a student minister, not a visiting pastor, his rule being thirteen hours of study a day. In the same year, he married Sarah Pierpont, then age seventeen, daughter of Yale founder James Pierpont (1659–1714). In total, Jonathan and Sarah had eleven children.
Stoddard died on February 11th, 1729, leaving to his grandson the difficult task of the sole ministerial charge of one of the largest and wealthiest congregations in the colony. Throughout his time in Northampton his preaching brought remarkable religious revivals.
Yet, tensions flamed as Edwards would not continue his grandfather's practice of open communion. Stoddard believed that communion was a "converting ordinance." Surrounding congregations had been convinced of this, and as Edwards became more convinced that this was harmful, his public disagreement with the idea caused his dismissal in 1750.
Edwards then moved to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, then a frontier settlement, where he ministered to a small congregation and served as missionary to the Housatonic Indians. There, having more time for study and writing, he completed his celebrated work, The Freedom of the Will (1754).
Edwards was elected president of the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University) in early 1758. He was a popular choice, for he had been a friend of the College since its inception. He died of fever at the age of fifty-four following experimental inoculation for smallpox and was buried in the President's Lot in the Princeton cemetery beside his son-in-law, Aaron Burr.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 11, 2020
Existe en FRANCAIS sous le titre de "une oeuvre du Saint Esprit : ses vrais signes"
Ce cessationiste, qui a pourtant vécu pendant un des plus grands réveils de l'histoire de l'Eglise, et qui a eu des expériences spirituelles extraordinaires, nous enseigne les principes bibliques pour identifier une oeuvre véritable du Saint Esprit.
Ce cessationiste, qui a pourtant vécu pendant un des plus grands réveils de l'histoire de l'Eglise, et qui a eu des expériences spirituelles extraordinaires, nous enseigne les principes bibliques pour identifier une oeuvre véritable du Saint Esprit.
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June 3, 2016I'm not rating this book because I spent months reading it in small doses, and because it's such an old work of nonfiction that it's difficult to compare with modern writing.
That said, this is a fabulous read. I picked it up after a conference on revival at my church, from which I came away in near-total disagreement with practically everything the conference taught. Providentially, I ran across this book by Jonathan Edwards and decided to read it, figuring that the man who preached Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God and sparked what became the First Great Awakening would know a thing or two about revival. Did he ever!
Edwards refreshingly makes his arguments for the validity of revival directly from Scripture, and Scripture well-used. His logic is clear and he makes no bones about pointing out where some had/have gone astray in their thinking about revival—both in its validity to convert unbelievers and in its inability to be the end goal of Christianity. This is clearly the work of a man who studied well his own time and, far better, studied well the Scriptures to "test the spirits" and determine if the revival playing out in a way that so initially alarmed him was truly from the Lord.
I recommend this book to anyone who is praying for revival, and also to anyone who is perturbed by those who pray for revival. It's well worth the effort to read this centuries-old book and be blessed (and sometimes convicted) by the truth it contains.
That said, this is a fabulous read. I picked it up after a conference on revival at my church, from which I came away in near-total disagreement with practically everything the conference taught. Providentially, I ran across this book by Jonathan Edwards and decided to read it, figuring that the man who preached Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God and sparked what became the First Great Awakening would know a thing or two about revival. Did he ever!
Edwards refreshingly makes his arguments for the validity of revival directly from Scripture, and Scripture well-used. His logic is clear and he makes no bones about pointing out where some had/have gone astray in their thinking about revival—both in its validity to convert unbelievers and in its inability to be the end goal of Christianity. This is clearly the work of a man who studied well his own time and, far better, studied well the Scriptures to "test the spirits" and determine if the revival playing out in a way that so initially alarmed him was truly from the Lord.
I recommend this book to anyone who is praying for revival, and also to anyone who is perturbed by those who pray for revival. It's well worth the effort to read this centuries-old book and be blessed (and sometimes convicted) by the truth it contains.
March 1, 2023
In this treaty, Jonathan Edwards provides a measured analysis and defense of the Great Awakening. Edwards begins the tract by explaining the irregularities, excitement, varied emotions, and bodily responses are neither evidences for or against a work of God. In Part II, the theologian explains that marks of a genuine act of the Spirit include an increased love for Christ, conviction of sin, esteem of the Scriptures, clarity of truth, and love for God and neighbor. In Part III, Edwards explains that the events unfolding around him and across New England over the last 6 years, 1736 to 1741. He warns his readers favorable to the awakening against excesses, encourages the neutral to support the work that the Lord has been doing, and admonishing those against the renewal movement to not find themselves opposed to clear evidences of the work of the Spirit. Thus, Edwards produces a calm analysis and exhortation of the events transpiring in the colonies beginning in the 1730s.
August 24, 2020
Un bon livre sur la manière d'évaluer si une œuvre de réveil est authentiquement de l'Esprit ou non.
Le gros avantage de ce livre, de mon point de vue, est qu'il date d'avant le réveil pentecotiste. En quoi est-ce une force ? Tout simplement le fait qu'il n'est pas pris dans les débats actuels et que l'auteur se contente de décrire et d'examiner ce qu'il voit à la lumière Bible. Sans l'esprit partisan et les excès qui peuvent accompagner les livres de ce genre écrits plus récemment.
Notre supplémentaire. Je ne sais pas si cela vient de la traduction mais certaines phrases sont parfois très lourdes.
Le gros avantage de ce livre, de mon point de vue, est qu'il date d'avant le réveil pentecotiste. En quoi est-ce une force ? Tout simplement le fait qu'il n'est pas pris dans les débats actuels et que l'auteur se contente de décrire et d'examiner ce qu'il voit à la lumière Bible. Sans l'esprit partisan et les excès qui peuvent accompagner les livres de ce genre écrits plus récemment.
Notre supplémentaire. Je ne sais pas si cela vient de la traduction mais certaines phrases sont parfois très lourdes.
January 30, 2023
ESPÍRITO SANTO
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A origem do livro foi o contato de Jonathan Edward como pastor com o Grande Despertar da década de 30 e 40, do século XVIII. Em meio a eventos diferentes, estranhos e confusos, seu desafio como pastor era discernir quais obras realmente provinham do Espírito Santo. Tendo como texto base 1João 4, Edwards descreve sinais que podem nos ajudar a discernir o assunto.
.
Semelhantemente, o apóstolo João viveu a época de maior derramamento do Espírito de Deus de todos os tempos. Diante disso, no 4 capítulo da primeira epistola João nos adverte a não termos uma crença ingênua que abraça qualquer obra dita do Espírito. Ao contrário, ele nos convida a avaliar se os espíritos vem ou não de Deus.
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Diante desse desafio, Edward passa por muitos assuntos: a valor inestimável das escrituras, as manifestações físicas e psíquicas da percepção das verdades do Reino, nosso papel em julgar o outro, os sinais da autenticidade das obras do Espírito.
.
O livro vai além de sua proposta, tangenciando outros assuntos. A leitura é lenta, monótona, mas vale a pena. Ótima releitura.
.
A origem do livro foi o contato de Jonathan Edward como pastor com o Grande Despertar da década de 30 e 40, do século XVIII. Em meio a eventos diferentes, estranhos e confusos, seu desafio como pastor era discernir quais obras realmente provinham do Espírito Santo. Tendo como texto base 1João 4, Edwards descreve sinais que podem nos ajudar a discernir o assunto.
.
Semelhantemente, o apóstolo João viveu a época de maior derramamento do Espírito de Deus de todos os tempos. Diante disso, no 4 capítulo da primeira epistola João nos adverte a não termos uma crença ingênua que abraça qualquer obra dita do Espírito. Ao contrário, ele nos convida a avaliar se os espíritos vem ou não de Deus.
.
Diante desse desafio, Edward passa por muitos assuntos: a valor inestimável das escrituras, as manifestações físicas e psíquicas da percepção das verdades do Reino, nosso papel em julgar o outro, os sinais da autenticidade das obras do Espírito.
.
O livro vai além de sua proposta, tangenciando outros assuntos. A leitura é lenta, monótona, mas vale a pena. Ótima releitura.
March 22, 2020
Fechou com chave de ouro. Apesar de ser um pouco confusa a argumentação, principalmente por frases longas, cheias de quebras, as ideias são de extrema relevância. Chamou minha atenção, principalmente, a parte final, quando ele fala do papel dos dons na igreja e a explanação sobre separar o joio do trigo. Recomendo!
December 23, 2024
Distinguishing marks of the work of the Holy Spirit -Jonathan Edwards.
Edwards is significantly more gracious and understanding towards the physical outworkings of spiritual experiences than expected, especially in light of his book "Religious Affections" where he deconstructs questionable experiences and "affections" of faith. Mr Edwards work, displays profound biblical insight and the practical guidance in outworking the Christian walk.
Highlights;
" A man with an awakened conscience is the hardest man in the world to fool. The more awake a sinners conscience is, the harder it is to quieten it down until it is really delivered from Sin. The more a conscience is aware of the greatness of mans guilt , the less likely he is to be satisfied with his own righteousness. Once a man is thoroughly friendly by a sight of his own danger, he will not believe himself to be truly safe without good grounds. "
" There was a time, I did not know how unsearchable a man's heart is. Now, I am both less charitable and more charitable, then I used to be. I see more things in the wicked that appear to be counterfeit holiness and more things in godly people that make them appear carnal still and more spiritually dead hypocrites then I ever dreamed! The longer I live, the less I am surprised that God keeps to himself the right to judge the hearts of men and order that we leave this business, his alone."
Edwards is significantly more gracious and understanding towards the physical outworkings of spiritual experiences than expected, especially in light of his book "Religious Affections" where he deconstructs questionable experiences and "affections" of faith. Mr Edwards work, displays profound biblical insight and the practical guidance in outworking the Christian walk.
Highlights;
" A man with an awakened conscience is the hardest man in the world to fool. The more awake a sinners conscience is, the harder it is to quieten it down until it is really delivered from Sin. The more a conscience is aware of the greatness of mans guilt , the less likely he is to be satisfied with his own righteousness. Once a man is thoroughly friendly by a sight of his own danger, he will not believe himself to be truly safe without good grounds. "
" There was a time, I did not know how unsearchable a man's heart is. Now, I am both less charitable and more charitable, then I used to be. I see more things in the wicked that appear to be counterfeit holiness and more things in godly people that make them appear carnal still and more spiritually dead hypocrites then I ever dreamed! The longer I live, the less I am surprised that God keeps to himself the right to judge the hearts of men and order that we leave this business, his alone."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2018
This book is a great resource in reference to the surge of pentecostalism and charismatics in our day. The book is divided into three sections (4 counting the introduction by a contemporary pastor from Boston—which, by the way, demonstrates the movement was already under fire, given that Edwards needed another reputable pastor to open the book for him. The first section outlines bad reasons for rejecting the Great Awakening as the work of the Holy Spirit. Section 2 gives principles from John 4 to distinguish the Holy Spirit from other spirits. Then Edwards draws practical application from the previous marks in Section 3. Edwards was experiencing something similar and uses very sound logic (both his own and that of 1 John 4) to argue for the true work of the Holy Spirit, despite some distortions. He also ends with appeals to the future of the movement that speak directly to some of the problems charismatics emulate that distort the movement from one of love to one of pride.
July 15, 2017
A classic treatment on the workings of the Holy Spirit. Using 1 John 4 as his primary Scriptural text, Edwards lists five key evidences that Christians should use to determine whether or not a claimed revival or popular movement is the result of the Holy Spirit's working in people's hearts. While Edwards specifically applies these tests to his own historical and cultural situation (the Great Awakening), Christians can use these Scriptural guidelines to discern the Spirit's working (or lack thereof) in modern-day churches, denominations, and spiritual movements as well. Though it's written in a very "intellectual" style, the book is filled with practical advise and Biblical wisdom from beginning to end. Highly recommended, especially for Christian leaders of any sort.
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March 13, 2022Truly fascinating to see this giant of the Reformed mind reasoning through the doctrinal challenges presented by the Great Awakeninf.
August 6, 2020
Edwards, tendo vivido durante os anos de um grande avivamento, traz observações preciosas de cunho mais experimental. Porém, aplica a sã doutrina bíblica como rédeas sobre as experiências e percepções a fim de evitar o exagero e o escândalo não como dois extremos, como por comparação, mas como duas negações da verdadeira natureza da obra do Espírito Santo, que deve ser estritamente analisada conforme as Escrituras, sem as distrações das reações humanas.
Uma leitura simples, edificante e, queira o SENHOR, antecipatória para os nossos tempos.
Uma leitura simples, edificante e, queira o SENHOR, antecipatória para os nossos tempos.
February 13, 2023
An excellent overview of both outward and inward signs of salvation.
I was dreadfully confused at the start, not because of Mr. Edwards' sermon, but because many modern "scholars" misquote and represent this as if it concerns signs and wonders. While he does touch upon the subject in the last section, the body of the work is concerned with the work of salvation the Holy Spirit brings about in the individual.
I do highly recommend this sermon, but for the reader, understand it has all to do with marks of salvation and not the modern idea of the miraculous. If you know that at the outset, the whole thing makes sense.
I was dreadfully confused at the start, not because of Mr. Edwards' sermon, but because many modern "scholars" misquote and represent this as if it concerns signs and wonders. While he does touch upon the subject in the last section, the body of the work is concerned with the work of salvation the Holy Spirit brings about in the individual.
I do highly recommend this sermon, but for the reader, understand it has all to do with marks of salvation and not the modern idea of the miraculous. If you know that at the outset, the whole thing makes sense.
May 29, 2016
Edwards even-handedly addresses the concerns of those questioning the legitimacy of conversions during the Great Awakening. He approaches the issue first negatively, then Scripturally, and concludes with practical implications.
May 13, 2021
Livro sensacional e importantíssimo para os nossos dias
November 17, 2022
A difficult read at times, but an insightful view into a biblical view of the evidence of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews